Dissertation information: listening answers and explanations
At the start of term, Dr Simon holds a question session with two students, Andy and Jane, about writing their dissertations. He confirms the hand-in date and length, goes through the timetable, and gives his views on computers, old dissertations, questionnaires and interviews.
The students' questions drive everything, in order: basic facts (21-23), the deadlines Dr Simon writes on the board (24-26), then his opinions on four points (27-30). Every answer comes from Dr Simon.
Answer key and self-check
Type what you wrote and hit mark. Hide the key first if you haven't done the part yet. Every question number jumps to its explanation.
Q
Your answer
Answer
Questions 21-23 · Note completion (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER)
Note completion (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER)
Questions 21-23
How to attack this block: Each answer follows a student's question. The hand-in date has a correction built in, the length is said in a compressed form, and the extra programme is named in passing after the advice about titles.
Question 21
Answer: 21 MayAndy's first question, about a fixed hand-in date
Also accepted: May 21 / 21st May / May 21st / the 21st of May / 21/5
When must the dissertation be handed in?
I can confirm that that's 21 May, not 20 as we first stated.
Question says → You hear
Hand-in datea fixed hand-in date … that's 21 May
Why: Dr Simon confirms 21 May. He mentions the 20th only to correct the earlier information. Later he repeats 'the hand in date on 21st'.
The trap: 20 May was the date 'we first stated'. It's the old, wrong date.
Question 22
Answer: 18,000-20,000When Jane asks about the word limit
Also accepted: 18,000 to 20,000 / 18000-20000 / 18000 to 20000 / 18-20,000 / 18 to 20,000 / 18,000 - 20,000 / eighteen to twenty thousand
How many words should the dissertation be?
Well we try to be pretty flexible on this, but in broad terms it's 18-20,000.
Question says → You hear
Length: ... wordsin broad terms it's 18-20,000
Why: The length is 18,000 to 20,000 words. He says it in short form, '18-20,000'; both numbers are thousands. Write the range as numbers.
The trap: Writing 18 alone or 18-20. The 'thousand' applies to both numbers, so 18,000-20,000 is safest.
Question 23
Answer: research methodsAfter Dr Simon tells Jane to see her course tutor about a title
What is the special extra programme about?
there's a special programme running on research methods for anyone who wants some extra help on that
Question says → You hear
Extra programme offered ona special programme running on research methods
Why: 'Special programme' matches 'extra programme', and the subject is research methods.
The trap: 'Course tutor' and 'final title' come just before, but they're about choosing a topic, not the programme.
Table completion (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS)
Questions 24-26
How to attack this block: The timetable runs in date order, which is also the order of the talk. Two gaps need an action and one needs a time period, so check which column each gap is in.
Question 24
Answer: planWhen Andy asks if the draft plan is due with the bibliography
Also accepted: draft plan / a draft plan / a plan
What must be done by 7 February?
No, your draft plan is due on 7 February, which is a week later
Question says → You hear
7 Februaryyour draft plan is due on 7 February
Why: The draft plan is due on 7 February, a week after the bibliography. 'Plan' or 'draft plan' both fit.
The trap: The basic bibliography is due on 31 January, and it's already printed in the first row.
Question 25
Answer: researchWhen Jane asks when they should be doing the research
Also accepted: do research / carry out research / conduct research
What do students do from February to March?
And when do we have to be doing the research? … That's over a one-month period . . . essentially February to March.
Question says → You hear
February-Marchessentially February to March
Why: The research is done from February to March. The table gives the dates, so the gap is the action: research.
The trap: Writing 'one month' because it's said; the table needs the activity, not the length.
Question 26
Answer: March to MayWhen Andy asks 'And the write up?'
Also accepted: March-May / March - May / March May
When is the writing-up done?
so that's really March to May, with the hand in date on 21st
Question says → You hear
Write up workyou can't really get going on your writing until you've got quite a bit of the research done
Why: Writing up runs from March to May. This gap is in the date column, so write the period.
The trap: Writing just 'May' or '21 May'. 21 May is the hand-in date in the next row; the write-up starts in March.
Matching (A-C)
Questions 27-30
How to attack this block: You're judging attitude: in favour, no strong opinion, or against. Dr Simon adds warnings to things he supports and says 'you can if you want' about things he doesn't care much about, so weigh his overall message.
Question 27
Answer: AWhen Andy asks for advice about computers
What does Dr Simon think about buying a computer?
I know it's a massive expense, but I really feel that it will be of great benefit
Question says → You hear
Buying a computerit will be of great benefit
Why: He admits computers are expensive, but says one will be of great benefit and suggests second-hand ones. He's in favour: A.
The trap: C, against: 'a massive expense' is a negative point, but 'but I really feel' shows his real view.
Question 28
Answer: AWhen Jane says she's been looking at last year's dissertations
What does Dr Simon think about reading earlier dissertations?
I don't think you should read them in detail too early … it really is the best guide you can have
Question says → You hear
Reading previous year's dissertationsit really is the best guide you can have
Why: His warning is only about reading them in detail too early. Overall he calls them the best guide to what's expected: A.
The trap: C, against: the opening warning sounds negative, and Andy's 'I heard...' suggests doubt. But 'But yes' turns it round.
Question 29
Answer: CWhen Jane says last year's students used lots of questionnaires
What does Dr Simon think about using questionnaires?
to be frank they tell you very little else. Avoid them!
Question says → You hear
Using questionnairesAvoid them!
Why: He says questionnaires tell you very little and ends with 'Avoid them!'. That's against: C.
The trap: He begins by saying they're 'very good at' something, which sounds positive, but it's ironic and his conclusion is clear.
Question 30
Answer: BWhen Andy asks if they can interview him
What does Dr Simon think about interviewing tutors?
I don't see why not; they don't have any special contribution to make, but you can if you want.
Question says → You hear
Interviewing tutorsyou can if you want
Why: He allows it, but says tutors have nothing special to add and leaves it up to them. That's no strong opinion either way: B.
The trap: A, in favour: 'I don't see why not' sounds positive, but he's just not objecting. The Research Guide advice that follows is about the topic, not a recommendation.
Dr Simon warns students not to read old dissertations in detail too early, which sounds negative. But he then calls them 'the best guide you can have', so he's in favour, A.
'I don't see why not' sounds like a yes, but he adds that tutors have nothing special to contribute and 'you can if you want'. That's no strong opinion, B.
Two dates are said: 21 May and 20. The 20th was the old date; the confirmed one is 21 May.
Words from this recording worth keeping
dissertation(Introduction)
a long piece of writing for a degree
milestones(Introduction)
important stages in a project
word limit(Basic information)
the maximum number of words allowed
in broad terms(Basic information)
generally, roughly
bibliography(Timetable)
a list of books and sources used
get a move on(Timetable)
hurry up
second hand(Buying a computer)
already used by someone else
out of date(Interviewing tutors)
old and no longer correct
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